ABOUT ME

I live in a camper van with a couple of West Highland Terriers for company.

My passion is photography but it is a work in progress.

I am always willing to share what knowledge I have and can be contacted through the comments on this post or e-mail ADRIAN

ALL IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WITH A LEFT CLICK

Saturday, 13 February 2010

LA’AL RATTY (13/02/10)

Better late than never, forgot about a map.

Funny title but it is the nickname of the Ravenglass/Eskdale narrow gauge railway. I’m not sure if it’s me but I really didn’t get a grip on things today so not only a funny title a funny day. It started out much as normal got the paper, took Molly for her morning constitutional and whilst out realised the camera was all over the place. It does this once every few months and resetting sorts things out. It did but I left ISO and White Balance on auto…….Silly Billy that I am. Thank heaven I shoot in RAW!

We went off at half nine to purchase tickets for the first train up the valley at half ten, no problems here. For what it is, reasonable at £11.50p for me and £1.50p for Molly. For this you can travel all day, getting on and off as suits, sounds good but there is not really anything to get off for.

Decided on an open carriage as it would be better for pictures………………………..

Had a quick look at the traction unit for my trip out, it was only built five years ago but one can’t be too careful. Gave it the benefit of my ignorance, kicked the tyres, made sure the windscreen was clean, it was spotless as is everything here.

Picked my seat, cursed the dog for knocking the camera bag over………Then the family from hell arrived, mum, dad, grandparents and two children, as wide as they were tall. We could hear them coming ten minutes before they arrived, upon arrival they had to try every carriage and every seat in every carriage. I’m not a religious man but I was praying….Please, please don’t sit near me. Near me! One decided to sit next to me, or on me, difficult to tell, the rest flowed or oozed in directly behind. Whistles blowing and flags waving our journey commenced.

Not a breath of wind to ripple the water filling the salt marsh. We even have perfect upside down sheep.

A pretty bridge but the overriding impression of the journey was of immature Birch to the left and mature conifers to the right. Correction, the overriding impression was of the dysfunctional morons behind bleating at sheep, only terminated by a heated discussion over whether seagulls were black and went Caw, Caw!

There is the odd Alder.

As I said it could just be me, this view of Scawfell…….Nothing wrong at all. Were it not accompanied by the kids echoing the train horn continuously and badly……Did I say kids, the whole bloody family were at it!

It’s not a bad ride. Apart from being about minus three hundred the weather couldn’t have been better. I saw a pair of Buzzard and a Kestrel. Forty minutes later we arrived at Dalegarth and the end of the line. I must admit I thanked the Lord. may even head to church in the morning and thank him in person.

The view over the head of Eskdale towards Cam Spout crag and Scawfell covered in snow, both a rare and beautiful sight. (It rains now and again in the Lake District).

Power for the journey home, this fine locomotive is called The River Irt.

Turning round for the run back down the valley.

That’s me on the left, what a Slim Jim! A little tip for any steam buffs out there, if you go to the signal box at Ravenglass they will give you a footplate pass so you can ride with the driver and keep your feet warm. No extra charge but they don’t advertise it. There is also a smashing little museum……Free…..This gives a comprehensive history of the line from it’s conception as a three foot gauge way built to transport hermatite. (Iron Ore). To it’s take over by Bassett Lowke and a reduction to fifteen inch gauge. Worth a visit. The cafe at Dalegarth is a real rip off, the one at Ravenglass is fine. To finish here is one of Bassett Lowke’s original locomotives it’s in the museum and with the sun streaming in was near impossible to photograph.

That’s all for today, hopefully I will wake with a less jaundiced view of the world tomorrow.

20 comments:

Adrian, I find your jaundiced view very entertaining. And I wouldn't have wanted you to miss that train ride on such a perfect day (despite the family from hell). My then two year old twin grand-daughters and I were that family about nine years ago. I gave up work to care for them, they were turning (had turned?) into savages. I took them on a ferry ride once, had a firm grip on each, they could well have jumped overboard, they were wild and fearless, brainless as well, and my handbag strung around my neck. I'm chuckling now thinking about it.

Bob, Cloned out an empty gallon can on the bridge picture otherwise the place is clean.Pauline, no you weren't! I saw three generations of the same family and can assure you that breeding without assistance would be impossible. There are a choice of six orifices in the human body and not a cat in hells chance of any of that lot selecting the right one.Still managed a few pics. So far from a wasted day.

Trevor, yes it is a great area and what weather, it helps.Gb, Thanks, We have had what seems like two weeks of great winter weather, all change tonight though.Gwentman, I know and love Wales your steam runs are better and the scenery is just as impressive and more importantly different.

I am sure I met your traveling companions on a flight to Portugal once,if it was not them it must have been their relatives.!!Loved the commentary to your post and the photographs are lovely,the mountain views and the old bridge are my favorites.

John, I think if there is a covering of snow it helps. For Windemere I think autumn is the best. Soon be spring when everything will turn a vivid green. Glad you enjoyed it.Keith, Thanks, yes it's all grand some bits are stunning. I tend to forget that even the not so good bits are still good. It's only seven miles long.

Great story, and stunning images!! I particularly loved the stone wall with the mountains in the background. I wish we had made it up to that area while we were living in London, but we could never quite figure out how to do that without being able to drive.

hello Adrian.. I was directed to her by a buddy form ALBATAT site. What a find.. loved your comments and your pix are great. I didnt know of you but doubtless my eldest a real train buff will know of it. I have to find out how to get to you from Darlington where I live but I am sure it would be well worth the visit. I have been here just a short while.. am a southerner but I love it more every day

Hi Rosie, welcome to the loony bin. I have nothing to do with the railway. I'm an Old Age Traveller. Two hours from Darlington.Most places are better than Darlington........I spend a fair amount of time there. It's okay and you are within a short drive of the Lakes and a shorter drive of Northumberland and the Yorkshire Dales. Have fun.